Family movie guide.

Brilliant Comic Timing Makes `Bowfinger' Work

August 26, 1999

In the comedy "Bowfinger" (PG-13), would-be movie producer-director Bobby Bowfinger (Steve Martin) has no money, no script and no talent. But he does have an eager crew (Heather Graham, Christine Baranski, Robert Downey Jr.), and he finds a resourceful way to make a movie with the hottest star in Hollywood, Kit Ramsey (Eddie Murphy), without the star knowing he's making the movie.

Not only does Martin get to do what he does best (play a smart, funny character with heart), but he is surrounded by an ensemble of actors who likewise get to camp it up and have a good time with the story. Murphy's forte is playing several different characters in one film, and in this movie he gets to play complete opposites: a movie star and a loser hired to be his stand-in. What makes this movie work is the right amount of parody mixed with the brilliant comic timing of the stars.

The downfall of "Bowfinger," however, is the sexual dialogue and situations involving Graham's character, an ingenue intent on sleeping her way to the top; this risque element makes the film inappropriate for children and younger teens.

"American Pie" (R) -- is a brazen coming-of-age comedy about four high school friends who make a pact to lose their virginity by prom night. The movie contains an abundance of foul language, sexual references, innuendo, dialogue about body parts and some nudity.

"Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me" (PG-13) -- This entire film is one big playground of sex and sexual innuendo.

"The Blair Witch Project" (R) -- In this pseudo-documentary, a trio of film students head to the woods to make a thesis documentary on witch sightings in Blair, Md. "Blair Witch" can be quite scary for younger viewers.

"Big Daddy" (PG-13) -- Adam Sandler is the living embodiment of the PG-13 rating. Just think of his movies as crude-humor workout tapes.

"Deep Blue Sea" (R) -- This is a standard critters-on-the rampage flick that features genetically altered sharks munching the scientists who created them. This movie is best for mature audiences looking for a scare.

"Dick" (PG-13) -- If you see this film, it helps to have a passing knowledge of Watergate. "Dick" can be cute and funny, especially for teen girls.

"Muppets in Space" (G) -- Young sci-fi fans should revel in the witty "Muppets From Space," a spoof of "Star Wars," "Star Trek," "Men in Black" and "Close Encounters."

"My Life So Far" (PG-13) -- Picturesque coming-of-age tale in 1927 Scotland hinges on a father and his 10-year-old son becoming rivals for an uncle's young French fiancee.

"Mystery Men" (PG-13) -- Frenzied, brainless superhero send-up features a flatulent crime fighter. Some minor violence and general weirdness, but the message -- stick together and be yourself -- is actually a winner.

"The Sixth Sense" (PG-13) -- Older teens may enjoy this chilling ghost story-psychological drama, but scenes of children suffering and appearing as ghosts will likely upset youngsters.

"South Park" (R) -- Though adults might find it humorous because they will understand the underlying themes and message of hypocrisy, this is a movie young people should avoid. The vulgar language, racial slurs, a raunchy sexual situation and the irreverent approach toward God, man and anything or anyone else that moves, simply outweigh the comedic.

"Star Wars: Episode I -- The Phantom Menace" (PG) -- The younger your kids, the more they will enjoy this adventure. One of the film's heroes is 9-year-old Anakin Skywalker, and he gets to enter one of the most exciting action scenes in the entire George Lucas canon. Parents may have trouble explaining to their younger children that this likable young boy grows up to be the nefarious Darth Vader. Most of the violence is of a bloodless, comic-strip manner, not meant to be taken seriously.

"Tarzan"(G) -- Disney's animated Tarzan confidently surfs through Africa's immense rain forest, gliding barefoot on never-ending, moss-covered tree limbs. His feet never fail him. His movie doesn't either. Kids will no doubt lap up this movie, which is a little scary and a lot funny.

"Tea With Mussolini" (PG) -- The film offers a smorgasbord of talent, ranging from Judi Dench to Cher, portraying a group of expatriates in pre-World War II Florence. They unofficially adopt a motherless boy who has been discarded by his father. The film includes some suggested sexuality and scenes of mild violence.

"The Thomas Crown Affair" (R) -- This glossy heist film is definitely for grown-ups only. Crown (Pierce Brosnan) is a self-made billionaire who enjoys the quest for money, art and women. Catherine Banning (Rene Russo) is the insurance investigator on his trail. The heist sequences are fascinating and the story is involving, but there's plenty of lust on display also, and at one point Russo bares all.

"Wild, Wild West" (PG-13) -- Another big, lavish movie with no there there. This post-Civil War James Bondish contraption-happy sci-fi film is hard to categorize, a quality not to be confused with originality. Good-looking but dopey, with an emphasis on toylike but vaguely ghoulish special effects.

"The Winslow Boy" (G) -- Terence Rattigan's play about the 1910 schoolboy's trial that created a furor in England has been artfully pared to its essentials in this stately adaptation. In the film, the family of a cadet accused of theft is quietly staggered by the consequences of that accusation.